Gold nanoparticles (NPs) are stable and synthetic materials that can be functionalized with a range of bioactive molecules. Water-soluble NPs presenting DNA aptamer molecules could behave biomimetically to control or template mineralization of calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate in biological systems that are important in biomedical applications relating to bone and enamel formation. The goal of this research is therefore to prepare a library of NPs that can be tested with in vitro mineralization systems to develop successful biomimics. The library includes NPs with a range of sizes, surface charges, and DNA aptamers previously known to influence mineralization at different surface densities. Currently, nanoparticles have been synthesized with tiopronin and 3-mercaptobenzoic acid passivating ligands and have been characterized with NMR, DLS, and TEM to reveal diameters of 3.8 <u>+</u> 0.4 nm. Surface attachment of DNA aptamers via place exchange reactions and testing in mineralization experiments are in progress. Identifying an effective mineralization template could aid in the understanding of the mineralization process and could influence mineral growth.

DNA aptamer-nanoparticle conjugates as biomimetic mineralization templates

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.